If your idea of holiday celebrations involves twinkling lights, over-the-top decor and the-more-the-merrier-style socializing with a cocktail or cocoa in hand, then you already understand the assignment of the Misfit Bars of Christmas Crawl.
Back for its second season, this wildly creative holiday bar crawl transforms 16 Outer Banks restaurants and bars into festive wonderlands, spreading cheer while raising money for two important local nonprofits.
Launched in 2024, the event was an instant hit, raising more than $16,000 for the Outer Banks Relief Foundation in its first year. This season, the giving expands. Funds will be split between the Outer Banks Relief Foundation and the Community Care Clinic of Dare, two organizations that make a direct, meaningful impact on Outer Banks families.
Getting 16 restaurants and bars to go all-out on decor, specialty menus, signature holiday drinks and themed holiday events takes some serious wrangling and planning. Jenn Crossman, bar manager at Kill Devil Grill and an event planner, is the head honcho behind the scenes. She also has an intern from Manteo High School, Myrezza Holton, helping her out.
“People have no idea how much work — and money — goes into pulling this off. But we do it because it brings joy. It brings people out. And it benefits our neighbors. That’s the Misfits spirit.”
And yes, the name is absolutely a nod to The Island of Misfit Toys from Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer fame.
Photo: Bumble is the mascot at Noosa Beach Grille in KDH.
Sixteen Stops of Holiday Heaven
The 2025 Misfit Crawl kicked off on November 21 and will run through December 31. This year’s lineup includes 16 Misfit Bars of Christmas across Kitty Hawk, Kill Devil Hills and Nags Head, each creating its own immersive holiday theme.
Stops include:
Art’s Place in Kitty Hawk
Tap That OBX in Kitty Hawk
Turf’s Up OBX in Kitty Hawk
The Pony & the Boat in Kitty Hawk
TRiO Restaurant & Market in Kitty Hawk
Stormy Seas Bottle Shop in Kill Devil Hills
Kill Devil Grill in Kill Devil Hills
Swells’a Brewing in Kill Devil Hills
Blue Crab Tavern in Kill Devil Hills (Colington)
The Salt Box Café in Kill Devil Hills (Colington)
Noosa Beach Grille in Kill Devil Hills
Noosa Scoops in Kill Devil Hills
Huanchaco Lounge in Kill Devil Hills
South of KDG Kitchen & Bar in Nags Head
Sam & Omie’s Restaurant in Nags Head
Lost Colony Brewery’s Waterfront Beer Garden on Nags Head Causeway
You can explore each location's offerings here.
Huanchaco Lounge, Stormy Seas Bottle Shop and Turf’s Up OBX are brand-new to the crawl. Turf’s Up OBX, the interactive sports and virtual-reality experience in Kitty Hawk, offers a family-friendly activity to the crawl – great for all ages and for parents with kids in tow.
Speaking of families, many locations are kid-friendly, and every spot leans into the magic of the season with decor, events and creative drink and appetizer specials.
Photo: Living it up Misfit style at Kill Devil Grill.
Misfit Events
The stops along the Misfit Bars of Christmas Crawl are offering special events all month long, many of them family-friendly. Think ugly sweater parties, scavenger hunts, live music, vinyl nights, trivia parties, ornament making, brunches, art shows, craft nights and more.
This weekend, on Friday, November 28, Kill Devil Grill is hosting an Oyster Roast from 6 to 9 p.m. with live music by the Bar Cats.
See a rundown of all the events here: CALENDAR OF EVENTS | Misfit Bar Crawl OBX
Photo: Outer Banks' Adventures' Grinch Bus offers bar crawl transportation by the seat or by private charter.
Ride the Grinch Bus
Transportation is easier and more fun than ever with Outer Banks Adventures, which introduces The Grinch Bus, a festive ride that you can book by the seat or for private charter. Think custom lighting, a Bluetooth sound system, a wet bar option and seating for up to 20. It’s the safest way to hit as many Misfit bars as possible. Find out more here: TRANSPORTATION | Misfit Bar Crawl OBX
Merch, Postcards & Prizes
Part of what makes the Misfit Bars of Christmas so distinctive is the merch — and this year’s collection is refreshed and festive. Look for the new logo on beanies, sweatshirts, T-shirts, stickers and pint glasses, available at all the participating restaurants. Crossman will even ship the merch if you buy online.
The real must-have item? The Misfit Postcard.
For $10, you’ll get:
- A Misfits postcard with room for 16 stamps
- 100% of your purchase supporting OBX Relief Foundation and Community Care Clinic of Dare
- One stamp for each appetizer or drink purchase at a participating location
- 10 stamps = a mystery holiday gift
- 16 stamps = entry into a grand raffle with prize packs filled with goodies from every bar
Pick one up at any Misfit location. Crossman will be selling postcards at Dowdy Park Holiday Market this Saturday, November 29, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Crossman says she will also be setting up a link so people can donate to Outer Banks Relief Foundation and Community Clinic of Dare online, even if they are unable to attend the events in person.
Why the Misfits Matter
Behind the tinsel, selfies and holiday drinks is a deeper story — one of local businesses lifting up local people.
“This event gives us something joyful to look forward to,” Crossman says. “But it also funnels real support into our local restaurants and into the community. When you buy that postcard, that appetizer or drink, or that beanie, you’re directly helping someone here on the beach.”
The Misfits Bars of Christmas is sponsored by the Outer Banks Visitors Bureau, helping expand awareness and encourage both locals and winter travelers to experience the OBX as a “Christmas Island.”
Photo: A Peppermint Mine Espresso Martini from TRiO Restaurant & Market will get you in a festive mindset.
Join the Holiday Cheer
Whether you hit all 16 stops or just pop into your neighborhood favorite for one glowing signature cocktail, the Misfits Bars of Christmas OBX promises joy, sparkle and that unmistakable Outer Banks spirit.
Grab your postcard. Bring your friends. Hop on the Grinch Bus. And celebrate the season Misfit-style.
"I am super thrilled so far," Crossman says. "We have already had so many people turn out to all the Misfit locations and gotten so much positive feedback this year. We have a lot of fun new things this year, and I'm just really excited. People are having a blast!"
For full details, visit MisfitsOBX.com.
About the Author Molly Harrison
Molly Harrison is managing editor at OneBoat, publisher of OuterBanksThisWeek.com. She moved to Nags Head in 1994 and since then has made her living writing articles and creating publications about the people, places and culture of the Outer Banks.
